High Speed Project Management

Lesson 1

Manage at High Speed: Why the Rush?

What's the big hurry? Don't be kept in the dark about why you're required to manage your project at such a fast pace. In this lesson, you'll learn the reasons. Then you'll be in the driver's seat and ready to focus on running a successful project.

The Race Is On: Three Critical Factors

Three factors are always critical to the success of any project. In this lesson, you'll take a close look at each factor. You'll also learn what speed indicators are and how to use them to stay on top of a fast-moving project.

Factor One: The Team Is Always First

In this lesson, you'll look at Factor 1: The team. The project team members are the keys to your success. You'll learn techniques to motivate and keep a team focused while working at high speed.

Factor Two: Time Versus Money

This lesson is all about Factor 2: Time vs. Money. You'll look at actual case studies to illustrate new ways of adjusting project speed and increasing overall productivity.

Factor Three: It's Always About Risk

This lesson addresses Factor 3: Risk. Managing risk at the speed of light is not for the fainthearted, but it can work to the advantage of the well-prepared manager. In this lesson, you'll explore the risks that are most prevalent and learn how to plan for them when and if they occur.

Fast-Track Planning: Steps 1 Through 5

In this lesson, you'll learn the first five steps of fast-track planning. Quickly creating a comprehensive project plan is crucial to staying on target. You'll look at ways to abbreviate the process from developing a scope statement to finalizing the project team.

Fast-Track Planning: Steps 6 Through 10

This lesson continues the planning process by addressing when and if you should use network diagrams and critical path analysis. You'll learn how to estimate time and costs that are in sync with an e-speed project and then review the pros and cons of the critical chain management theory.

Fast-Track Planning: Steps 11 Through 13

You'll continue the planning process in this lesson. Here, you'll look at templates and real-world examples that will demonstrate how to speed up the development of plans for project procurement, quality management, and risk management.

Fast-Track Planning: Steps 14 Through 19

In this lesson, you'll take a look at the final steps in the planning process. You'll examine templates and real-life examples for rapid development of change control plans, communication and management plans, and the final project plan. You'll also learn the importance of obtaining plan approval sign-off and when and why to use a kickoff meeting.

Plan Execution: Full Acceleration

In this lesson, you'll see that the project plan is finalized and primed to provide a roadmap and navigational aides for the e-speed project. You'll learn how to allocate time and effort to achieve the greatest advantages for the project. You'll pay special attention to applying the best practices for managing tasks, quality assurance, team development and verification, and progress meetings.

Project Control: The Power of Process

Projects developed at e-speed require strict processes for managing changes in performance, scope, quality, risk, schedule and cost. In this lesson, you'll take a close look at the value of management toolkits that are simplified and easy to use.

Closeout: Cross the Finish Line

The project is not over until you cross the finish line and throw all the shutdown switches. This lesson is designed to walk you through the final seven steps to end the project on a positive and professional note.